The Catch season 1, episode 5, “The Laragan Gambit,” left us very confused, but very ready for more!
Is it too soon to say that I like the new direction of the show if I’m still not completely sure what that direction is? Even though the cat and mouse game is over, Alice still isn’t finished playing, and as Ben said, she isn’t playing nice. This episode set up a lot of tension in many different relationships that will hopefully play out through the rest of the season.
Split screen update: they are still very much a part of the show, and have been expanded to include an interesting kaleidoscope effect. Maybe, at the end of the season, we’ll be able to put all of the split screen scenes together to make a secret clue?
San Diego Con Artist Con
With only six hours to go before their payment is due, Ben and Margot really have no hope of getting the money in time. They’re not the type to just wait around to “deliver or die” though, so they decide to try out a well known tactic: the dine and dash. In the con artist version, the stakes are a little higher than you walking out without paying for your cheesecake (but don’t do that either). When Margot sees a room number on a bill in the hotel restaurant, Ben enters the room and steals the contents of their safe.
Even though their actions are obviously deplorable, Ben and Margot make such a great team! Reggie was seriously holding them back. As a duo, they are even more fun and exciting to watch. You can definitely tell that they’re a married couple, even if they’re both getting a little action on the side.
Unfortunately, Felicity derails their little game, but she actually comes with some good news. The benefactor has decided to forgive their debts! That is, if they pull off a nearly impossible jewelry heist for him.
It’s interesting to see how hesitant Margot is to work for the benefactor. She is obviously still taking his money, so what’s the difference? Also, Felicity makes it sound like it’s much safer to have him on their side. Maybe Margot just really values the creative freedom of planning her own cons. What an artist that woman is.
Even though Margot is skeptical, Ben jumps right on board. He sure is eager to get that debt paid off, but not eager enough to actually pay it with all the money he’s covered up so far, I guess. They need a third member to complete the squad, but Felicity makes it very clear that she’s a murderer, not a thief. Good for you girl! Everyone has to draw the line somewhere, right? However, since Margot’s asking, Felicity’s line is a little blurry, so she’s in too!
Apparently someone got this #jewelryheist trending on twitter, because every con artist in town shows up to the party for a chance at getting the Prime Minister’s bracelet. Luckily, Margot’s Angels prove that they’re the best in the business. Somebody call 911, because Margot and Felicity were on fire on that dance floor! Ben’s look when they kissed was hilarious. I am absolutely loving his dynamic with Margot and I hope we get to see more of it before she inevitably gets murderous on Ben and Alice.
Using the women’s distraction, Ben got the highly sought after bracelet. At this point, things got very old school James Bond, very quickly. It was cool, but definitely felt extremely cheesy when set against the rest of the episode. Between Ben’s running, the incredibly fake gun shots, and the music, it was all a bit much.
At least he brought wine
Agent Jules Dao put his spy gear to good use in The Catch season 1, episode 5 and Alice illustrated to all viewers why you should always respond to your text messages promptly. Since Alice left Ben hanging, he is forced to call her to arrange their rendezvous. This is music to JD’s ears! Actually, it’s more like the sound of two people talking to his ears. This isn’t Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, people.
JD proceeds to demonstrate exactly why he hasn’t managed to catch Ben after two years of searching: he’s anything but stealth. Ben recognizes him immediately, which helps him figure out that he has bugged Alice’s house.
Aside from being an inferior sleuth, he also has a knack for showing up at the wrong time. Alice is just trying to enjoy some take out, when he comes knocking. At least he brought wine though, so he’s forgiven this time. I can’t recall ever seeing him smile before, but he was showing off his pearly whites all over the place in The Catch season 1, episode 5! It would have been adorable if not for the creep factor he exhibits with everything he does.
Thankfully, Ben is able to warn Alice about the bug, so she doesn’t lie about meeting Ben. If she’s able to keep JD’s trust going forward, it will save her from being seen as an accomplice in his crimes. Also, if we ever do figure out what’s behind that creep factor, it will give Alice the upper hand on him.
Speaking of Alice having the upper hand, she definitely has it on Ben now! This girl is weaving quite a tangled web. After a mere coquettish giggle when Ben admits he is planning another con, and actually showing up to be his getaway driver, she completely turns the tables on him. That is, after they officially consummated their break up.
Somehow, when things were getting hot and heavy, Alice managed to steal the bracelet that Margot’s Angels worked so hard for. When he asked for it back, her response either indicates that she is a mastermind that is playing him right back, or that I was wrong when I said this show isn’t Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. So, which is it?
I’m guessing somewhere in between. It’s obvious that she cares about him, but I doubt she has completely forgiven him yet, as we’ve kind of been lead to believe. Now that she finally holds some power in their relationship, I can’t wait to see what she does with it!
Yeah, you should’ve told her
Yet again, the case of the week was nothing to get excited about. If I’ve learned anything from Veronica Mars, it’s that 90% of a private investigator’s work is spying on people’s cheating spouses, and The Catch confirmed that theory this week.
The one interesting development that came from the case was Tony Ellis, and his vow to get revenge on Alice and Valerie for beating him at his own game. He is extremely intimidating, and I’m betting he’ll be making at least one reappearance in The Catch to cause some more trouble.
Valerie finally got some screen time in The Catch season 1, episode 5. She found out Alice was lying to her about searching for Ben, so Alice made it up to her by lying about it in a different way! It is possible that Alice wasn’t lying, and she really is still working to get revenge on Ben, but her feelings for him are so obvious that I doubt that’s completely true.
Valerie’s willingness to help was so genuine and awesome, and everything that I’ve been wanting from this pair of besties. She did actually help to get JD off of Alice’s back (JD also totally fell in love with her), but it’s going to be heartbreaking when she finds out that her best friend still isn’t telling her the whole truth.
